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Behind the Scenes With Matt Lauer at my Farm

Perhaps you saw my appearance on yesterday's Today Show when Matt Lauer came to my farm in Bedford to interview me and also do a little farming? I am, of course, promoting my latest book, "Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others," a definitive handbook on staying well physically and mentally into and beyond middle age. During his visit, Matt and I discussed several of the book's key points and then he asked me about dating. I explained that I love dating and even toyed with the idea of joining Match.com. For some reason, Matt was stunned by this and it got a whole new ball rolling. More to follow.

1 On Monday morning, April 15th, the crew from NBC's The Today Show arrived at 7:15 to set up their equipment.

2 Part of this taped piece included a sit-down interview with Matt Lauer, which took place on my terrace. Crew members were asked to sit in while adjustments were made for lighting and camera angles.

3 The piece also included working in the garden and I went to fetch my John Deere tractor from the equipment barn. Living the Good Long Life represents the fulfillment of a pledge I made when the Martha Stewart Center for Living opened at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2008.

4 Matt Lauer waited for his make-up artist in the tenant house. He knew he would be farming and yet, he wore white jeans!

5 The piece opened with Matt driving the tractor with a load of mulch. As a passionate promoter of healthy living, I pledged to write a book that would give readers a practical guide to live their best life, and Living the Good Long Life succeeds in doing just that.

6 We greeted each other warmly. I’m incredibly proud of this book, and I want to invite others to join me in making a wellness pledge by visiting marthastewart.com/pledge.

7 Matt told me that he just purchased a brand new John Deere to use on his new farm in the Hamptons. One lucky pledge-maker will join me at my farm in Bedford for a day of healthful living.

8 Matt started driving while we continued our conversation about farming. Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others is a definitive handbook on staying well physically and mentally into and beyond middle age.

9 I was pointing him in the direction of the herbaceous peony garden. The book includes recipes for the kind of nourishment you need into your fourth decade and beyond.

10 Matt greeted his crew. My new book includes the 10 Golden Rules for Aging Well, exercises, home solutions, advice on preventing and managing chronic illnesses and stress, and information on assessing the needs of elders in your life.

11 With cameras rolling, we prepared to do a little work. The book is enhanced with lots of photographs, sidebars, charts, and tips.

12 I told Matt to add more mulch to the wheelbarrow. Matt asked me if gardening was my only form of exercise.

13 I explained that gardening is terrific exercise, but I also work out regularly in my gym.

14 Did you know that The Today Show was launched on January 14, 1952 with Dave Garroway as the host? Matt Lauer has been co-anchor of NBC News' TODAY since January 6, 1997. He joined TODAY in January 1994 as the show's news anchor.

15 After mulching the peony beds, we proceeded to the stable. Over the next 20 years, the US population of baby boomers aged 65 and up will jump nearly 80 percent to 1 in every 5 Americans.

17 From the stable, we walked through the allee of linden on our way to the vegetable garden.

18 There's a tremendous need for clear and inspiring information, tools, and resources as more people and their families face the challenges and responsibility of getting older and caring for one who is aging.

19 Wilmer gave Matt a lesson in roto-tilling.

20 Matt commented that one could easily get bow-legged doing this chore. I told him it was good for the inner thighs.

21 Wilmer and Kerry Byrnes - Producer, The Today Show, watched Matt at work tilling with great interest.

22 After all of that, there was no sign of dirt on Matt's jeans!

23 We walked on towards the vegetable greenhouse. Living the Good Long Life is divided into two parts: Part 1 - Healthy Living Today and Part 2 - Healthy Living into Tomorrow.

24 We entered the toasty vegetable greenhouse, where produce thrives in the ground all through the winter. Part 1 discusses 'Healthy Eating' and how you can plan a better plate and also 'Healthy Fitness,' which tells readers how they can stay active every day.

25 Matt was amazed at all the great things growing. In 'Healthy Brain,' readers find out ways of keeping their brains sharp and stimulated. 'Healthy Outlook' discusses optimism and sense of purpose.

26 'Healthy Living Every Day' talks about how you can practice prevention, pay attention to aches and pains, get the sleep you need, keep up on maintenance, and medicate wisely to live a good, long life.

28 ‘Healthy Home’ explains how you can discover smart design, safety-proof your home, edit your home room-by-room, arrange furniture well, cultivate an indoor garden, consider color, illuminate your space and maintain a healthy home to create a place where you can think and enjoy.

29 In addition to sweet beautiful tomatoes, there are even cucumbers growing! Part 2, Healthy Living into Tomorrow is all about 'Healthy Living into the Future.'

30 Our next segment was my interview on the terrace. Part 2 discusses how you can prepare for a healthier tomorrow by reducing risk factors. There are tips for fighting off heart attacks and stroke, protecting your bones and joints, and lowering your cancer odds.

31 After some of my own hair and makeup touch ups, I joined Matt on the terrace.

32 Matt wanted to know if I have ever been bothered or worried about aging throughout the years.

33 I told him that I never gave it a thought until my mother passed away at the age of 93.

34 He wanted to know how old I felt emotionally and I told him about 45 or 50. We discussed one of my golden rules, which is to stop complaining, change what you can, and accept what you cannot.

35 Then Matt asked me about my dating life and I told him that I love dating and even thought about going on Match.com! This fact sparked great interest.